Aerial package carrier and signal



July 7, 1931. p. HORN] 1,812,955

AERIAL PACKAGE CARRIER AND SIGNAL Filed Dec. 24. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l 24 3&1

July 7, 1931. P. P. HORNI 1,812,955

AERIAL PACKAGE CARRIER AND SIGNAL Filed Dec. 24, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 7, 1931. P. P. HORN]- fizz/3.507 221:

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 AJJIGRNEYS July 7, 1931. P, P, HOR 1,812,955

AERIAL PACKAGE CARRIER AND SIGNAL Filed Dec. 24, 1928 4 SheetS Shet 4 /Z mg FOG.

M 1 VENTOR 72m 1 1101 Patented July 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PAUL in HORNI, or NEWARK, new JERSEY AERIAL PACKAGE CARRIER AND SIGNAL Application filed December 24, 1928. Serial No. 328,177.

This invention relates to means for delivering packages to airplanes or other aircraft without the necessity of such craft making a landing. It is desirable to have the means for delivering packages to the airplane, when landing is difficult or impossible on account of the character of the ground or of the conditions of visibility, near the ground and it is also desirable to have such delivery means in order to save the time wasted in making a landing for the sole purpose of picking up mail or other matter. The invention comprises a combination of lighter-than-air suspending means arranged to be elevated and lowered'by apparatus anchoring the same to the ground and having appliances attached thereto for holding packages in a position where an airplane may pick up such packages automatically as it flies near the delivery apparatus. l/Vith the delivery apparatus are combined illuminating identifying and signalling means. There are also provided means for keeping the delivery apparatus level and in line with the wind so that collisions between the aircraft and the apparatus may be prevented. These and other features of the invention will be described in. connection with the accompanying drawings, in which, all Figure 1 is a perspective view of a package-shipping station equipped with one form ofmy apparatus.

Figure 2 is a detail partially in section of a levelling control.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portable delivery apparatus.

Figure 4 is a front view, Figure 5 a side view, and .Figure 6 a corresponding View, showing what happens when the wind changes.

Figure 7 is a front View of a modified form for high elevations.

Figure 8 is a side View of the same.

Figure Sis a front view of a double carrier.

Referring first to Figure 1, numeral 1 indicates an airplane which has just passed between earrier arms 2 of a package holder and picked-up package 3 on its arm 4. The arms 2 have weights or other devices 5 for holding w the package taut. These arms are pivoted at 6 and have at their upper ends packageholding devices 7 similar to such devices used for holding mail packages or bags for 001- lection by moving mail cars. At 8 is shown a guiding vane or rudder which is held by the frame-9, 10 so as to keep said frame always at right angles to the wind. A vane of this kind is also necessary to minimize the side swing characteristic of anchored balloons; such side swinging being particularly objectionable when fairly stationary targets must be maintained for the transfers to moving planes. The part 10 of the frame carries the pivot 6 of the arms 2 near its middle and at its end is attached to the ends of the diagonal arms 9 and at this point is secured the suspending cords or cables 23 of balloons 24.

Also at these points are secured light-projecting means 11 which respectively illuminate the balloons on the opposite sides of the package-holder which is illuminated by both beams of light. The whole of the suspending frame and balloons is anchored by means of cables 12, having lights 13 at intervals there- The upper lights may be used for flashing automatically and intermittently the identifying code corresponding to the station, as in the example shown being the sub-station 13 of the New York area, which may for easier identification be marked with a large A or other station insignia. llhe other lights 13 may have a flashing or revolving effect to act as guide lights or signals for aircraft and to also prevent collision with the anchoring'cables by aircraft. The anchoring cables will have electric conductors for keeping the lights illuminated and they may be further used in connection with the device shown in Figure 2, which in Figure 1 is shown at 14. This device consists of a mercury contact maker mounted on the frame 10 and comprising a mercury globule 15 in a curved tube 16, having contacts 17, which when the frame 10 tips one way, closes a circuit chat will elevate one or depress the other of the anchoring cables or effect a combination of these motions that will bring the frame 10 back to a level position. The anchoring cables may be Wound up or unwound by means of Wind apparatus, for the placing thereon ofing apparatus shown at 18 (Figure 1). These cables being driven by electric motors may be automaticall controlled by the circuit maker and'brea er 14. They may also be controlled manually for lowering the packages and for the elevation of the apparatus to raise the package up to be within a possible path for-an aircraft. By the provision of the guide vane 8, the frame. 10 will always be at right angles to the wind and the airplane may therefore pick up the package either going with the wind or against the wind wthout possibility of side drift, the latter method of coursebeing preferable on account of the lower relative s eed involved. As shown in Figure 3, the win 'ng apparatus for the anchoring cables may be laced on one or more automobiles so as to ma e the a paratus entirely portable, which would necessary in times of emergency or in case the apparatuswas used in time of war. In case there is a calm, the apparatus would stand as shown in Figures 4 and 5. A wind, however, might shift it to the position shown in Figure 6, in which position'the drift leeward would throw the frame out of level when the function of the level mounting control wouldbecome operative. InFigure 7 is shown a suspension means suitable for tudes as for exam le when it is swing the suspen ing apparatus to a point above a cloud or a fog-belt. In Figure 9- is shown a modified form where three balloons are used n and the framework is made in such a way as to have the balloons entirel out of the way of the horizontal travel in t e plane of the packa s, the packages being suspended entire y above the apparatus and the balloons. This figure also shows the possibility of using two ackage carriers, one of which might be usedv orone direction and the-other for the other direction.

The above description refers to a preferred embodiment that m invention may assume but the invention in its broadest sense may in clude many other alternative devices for accomplishing the same end.

1.-In a device of the character described the combination of two balloons with a rigid frame extending horizontal] between them, anchoring cables for said ba oons, means for operating said cables for letting out and taking in said cables and a packagecarrier mounted on said frame between the balloons and having an electric contact device and circuits connecting same with the cable operating means whereby when the frame is out of level the contact will be closed to operate the cable operating means to bring connecting the balloons to ground apparatus,

eater .altiesirable to ground apparatus for elevating and lowering the balloons by means of the cables, a frame rigidly holding the balloons apart, and a guidingvane mounted on the frame so as to anchoring cables therefor, a vane connected to the suspension means to hold the same in fixed relation to the wind, and means also supported by the suspension means for detachably holding a package to one side of the said suspension means for the free engagement with said ackage of an aircraft travelling in line with the wind.

5. In a device of the character described,

the combination of an elongated support, means carried by said elongated support for releasably holding a packa e, lighter than air means for suspending'sai l elon ted support, cables for anchorlng said lig iter than air means, and wind actuated means for retaining said elongated support substantially normal to the direction of the wind.

6. In a (device of the character described,

two spaced'balloons, a substantiall horizontal support suspended between sai balloons, anchoring cables connected to op osite ends of said horizontal support, win ing means connected to each of said anchoring cables,

an electric contact device mounted on said support, energizing circuits for said winding meansrespectively, each ofsaid energizing circuits including said electric contact device, and a package-carrier mounted on said horizontal support between said balloons, said electric contact device being operable by tilting movements of said horizontal sup port for controlling the operation Of Sald winding means.

7.. In a device of the character described; the combination with two spaced balloons provided with anchoring cables, of a support extending between and suspended from said balloons, a package carrier mounted on said support between said balloons, light-pro jectmg means arran d on each si e of said package carrier for illuminating the wall of the balloon on the opposite'side of said package carrier, and a guiding vane connected to said horizontal sup ort in a plane normal thereto and arranged oppositely to said ackage carrier in respect to said horizonta suport. v p 8. In a device of the character described, the combination with a substantially horizontal rigid support, of balloons connected to said rigid support at'spaced points therealong, anchoring cables connected to said portina name" rigid support at longitudinally spaced points,

a guiding vane connected to and rigid sup- (plane normal thereto for holding it broadsi e on to the wind, a package-carrier mounted on said rigid sup ort and centrally with"respect to said alloons and means responsive to'the inclination oi'said rigid support for letting out or taking in said anchoring cables for returning said rigid support to horizontal position.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination with-a substantially horizontal rigid support, of two balloons connected to and spaced from each other along said rigid support, anchorin cables connected toand spaced one from t e other 1 said rigid support, a guiding vane connec to said rigid support in a-plane normal thereto and midway between said cables for holding said support broadside on to the wind, a package-carrier mounted on said rigid support midway between said cables, and means responsive to the inclination of said rigid sup ort for letting out or taking in said anc oring cables.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination with a substantially horizontal rigid support, of balloons connected.

to and spaced one from the ,other along said.

rigid support, anchoring cables connected to said balloons, a guiding vane mounted on and normally arranged with respect to said ri id sup rt, and a package-carrier mounte on sal rigid support.

- PAUL P. HOBNI. 

